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Robins close to signing duo

By Simon Fudge

BRISTOL CITY are close to agreeing new two-year contracts with a pair of young defenders in Craig Woodman and Darren Jones.

Woodman has made eight appearances for the Ashton Gate side this season while Jones had an ominous debut in Division Two last Saturday, when The Robins were thrashed 5-1 at Blackpool.

The result has ended the West Country club's chances of making the promotion play-offs and they will remain in Division Two next season.

On the club's hopes to extend the duo's current deals, chairman John Laycock told the Bristol City official website: "We are close to an agreement and expect Craig and Darren to sign soon.

"They are both up and coming players, who we feel can play a big part in the club's future, so it's excellent news for all concerned."

The Robins had practiced the policy in the past of signing their Academy trainee graduates to longer-term deals but with the current financial state of football, City have decided on restricting the deals to two years.